September 12, 2012

Sixth annual Encuentro highlights Hispanic Heritage Month activities

Kansas State University will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15-Oct. 15 with a variety of events and activities that showcase Hispanic culture and issues.

Highlighting the month will be the sixth annual Midwest HALO Encuentro from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 9, in the K-State Student Union Ballroom. The event is organized by the university's Hispanic American Leadership Organization, or HALO.

Encuentro, for high school and college students, is a chance for students to learn about the unexpected challenges they may encounter during college. It is also an educational tool for the assistance of Latino student identity development. The conference provides an opportunity for Kansas State University students to interact with students from across Kansas.

The main address for Encuentro will be given by Consuelo Castillo Kickbusch, an influential speaker whose message is directed at how to be an effective leader in today's global marketplace. For the past 13 years, Kickbusch has worked with more than 1 million children and their parents through the human development program Educational Achievement Services Inc., or EAS.

The Encuentro luncheon will include traditional Latino/Hispanic music entertainment by Mariachi Luna y Sol from Omaha, Neb.

"Music and language are inextricable tied to the Latino/Hispanic culture," said Mirta Chavez with the university's office of diversity. "Bringing mariachi music to campus will let the campus community share in one of our most beloved cultural displays."

The Librotraficante Movement, a drive started by a former university faculty member, Tony Diaz, also will be part of Hispanic Heritage Month activities. The drive is in answer to the elimination of the Mexican-American studies program in the Tucson, Ariz., school district and the eradication of books used in the program. Diaz, a novelist, has worked with others to make the banned books available to youth, through underground libraries, and to keep the Hispanic culture alive.

Readings from some of the books banned will be on the Bosco Student Plaza, in front of the Union, on Sept. 20-21.

Hispanic Heritage Month activities kick off with the Latin American film series sponsored by the Colombian Association of Kansas State University and the Union Program Council. The first film will be "Tear This Heart Out," from Mexico, at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 12, in the Union's Forum Hall. Admission is free.

Other events happening on campus during Hispanic Heritage Month, which are free unless otherwise noted, include:

Dia de la Independencia fundraiser dance, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday, Sept. 14, in the Blue Hill's Room at the Blue Hills Shopping Center, 2313 Tuttle Creek Blvd., Manhattan. The cost is $6. The fundraiser is sponsored by the League of United Latin American Citizens.

The Latin American film series will present "Sins of Our Fathers," from Argentina, at 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 17, at Forum Hall.

Ojos de Dios, or God's Eye, sponsored by Sigma Lambda Beta, an international fraternity, at noon Thursday, Sept. 20, on the Bosco Student Plaza. Ojos de Dios are weavings known for their spiritual associations.

The Latin American film series will present "The Student," from Mexico, at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 26, in Forum Hall.

The Latin American film series will present "Madeinusa," from Peru, at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 3, in Forum Hall.

The Latin American film series will present "Elite Squad," from Brazil, at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 9, in Forum Hall.

The Latin American film series will present "Portraits in a Sea of Lies," from Colombia, at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 15, at 7 p.m. in Forum Hall.